Pre-K Coordinator & Lead Teacher

Helen Frazier has worked in early childhood education as a preschool and kindergarten teacher, a special educator, educational leader and a professional development provider since 1998. Helen received her teaching degree at Bank Street College of Education, and has returned there as an adjunct faculty member. Helen taught at Bank Street Head Start, Community Roots Charter School, Rivendell School, and FirstStepNYC. Helen came to Compass in 2022 from the New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute, where she developed resources and supports for early care and education providers and NYPL children’s librarians. Helen loves observing children’s play and sharing stories with them. Helen lives in Brooklyn with her sons Ezra (17) and Michael (13) and her dog Pookie (5).

Lead Teacher

Lauren Schmitz has been an educator in NYC for the last ten years. She has a BA in Art History from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, as well as an MSed from Hunter College in Early Childhood Education Birth-2nd grade. She is particularly invested in progressive pedagogy, professional development, and learning about new, best practices. Lauren lives in Bushwick with her husband, 3 year old daughter, Josephine, and cat named Walter. When not at work, she is known to binge watch Real Housewives and also loves to read.

Assistant Teacher

Marie is a teacher in the Mulberry Class. She is originally from Barbados and came to the US as a teenager, lived in New Mexico, and then moved to Brooklyn, NY. Marie started at Compass 7 years ago as a paraprofessional and then became a school aide. This is her 5th year as a pre-K assistant teacher. Marie’s love for children has brought her this far and she’s excited to be on this journey. In her spare time, Marie likes to travel and spend time with family and friends.

Assistant Teacher

My name is Tameka Maragh. I am from Jamaica, W.I., and I moved to the United States at a young age, growing up in Brooklyn, NY, where I’ve most of my life. I’m a proud mother of two wonderful children, Kymarly and Kymberly. I began working at Compass Charter School in September 2014, where I had the honor in becoming the school’s first 1:1 paraprofessional, first school aide, and first Pre-K assistant teacher. Now in my 7th year working in the Pre-K program, I continue to bring passion, dedication, and joy to my role everyday day.

Working with children from all walks of life has always been close to my heart. It brings me immense happiness to know that I’m making a positive impact in lives of young learners. Joy is something I strive to carry with me wherever I go, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share that joy with the children and the families I work with.

Pre-K Support

Pre-K Support

Min's family is from South Korea and she was born and raised in Queens. She moved to Brooklyn after meeting her husband and has two Compass alumni. After joining the Compass Community, Min made her way to be part of the Compass staff and loves working with the Pre-K team and children. 

Pre-K Support